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November
28, 2006
LADERA
RANCH FIELDS – FINAL: En Fuego 30, Dirtbags 15
After
an early offensive explosion, En Fuego was able to subdue the
Dirtbags (5-6-1) in the championship game and go on to win their
third championship in three seasons in the Tuesday Night SVUSD
league. The Dirtbags scored thirteen runs in the first three innings
to take an early 13-6 lead over En Fuego. En Fuego (9-3) stormed
back in the bottom of the third inning scoring twelve runs to take
an 18-13 lead. They never looked back adding another dozen runs over
the final three innings outlasting the Dirtbags 30-15.
Outfielder Vince Petruzzi clinched the victory with a double down
the left field line to score Craig Watkins for the six-inning mercy
win.
“Being
down and coming back to win has been our thing lately.” Said
Manager Craig Watkins The number four seed Dirtbags who earlier had
upset the number one seed Free Agents (8-3) in a lopsided victory
came out swinging against En Fuego. “We knew we would have to
score a ton of runs to beat them tonight,” Added Watkins.
The En Fuego pitching and defense found a way to slow the hot
hitting Dirtbags en route to the victory, allowing only two runs
over the final three innings.
Team
MVP Corrie Willkie led the way once again for En Fuego. In the
championship game Willkie went 4-for-4 at the plate including
belting a home run and drove in seven runs. On the season Willkie
batted .735 with 9 home runs and 38 runs batted in to run away with
the team Triple Crown for the second consecutive season. Willkie
also played solid defense at shortstop for En Fuego in the playoffs
and all season long.
There
were many offensive contributors in the team win including
outfielders Kevin Lorton, Jerry Langner and DH
Jason Santoro. They
each collected four hits in the game. Santoro along with first
baseman Ryan Sauers drove in four runs each. “Everyone contributed
tonight, one way or another. It was a great team win!” Said Sauers
Not
to be overshadowed by the championship win was the first round win
versus Stac Pac (6-4-1). In the 71st meeting between the two rivals
En Fuego was able to hold on for a slim 10-8 win. Recently En Fuego
has struggled against Stac Pac losing seven of nine games. “That
was a huge win.” Watkins said “You have to go through Stac Pac
if you want to win the championship.” The victory over Stac Pac
was the 35th all time for En Fuego as they hold a slight edge in the
series. In the ten year history of the rivalry including
classification games En Fuego is 35-34-2 versus Stac Pac.
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